Apple M3 (8-GPU) Apple M5 (10-CPU)
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Apple M3 (8-GPU) vs Apple M5 (10-CPU)

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The Apple M3 (8-GPU) is a processor based on the 3 nm manufacturing process, designed for balanced performance in everyday applications and media creation.

It integrates a powerful 8-core GPU and supports PCIe 4.0. The Apple M5 (10-CPU), on the other hand, is also manufactured using the 3 nm process and targets users with high demands on computing and graphics performance with its 10 CPU cores and a 10-core GPU.

This processor also supports PCIe 4.0. In performance tests, the Apple M5 (10-CPU) shows significant advantages. Single-core performance is over 35 percent higher than that of the Apple M3 (8-GPU), and for multi-core tasks, the Apple M5 (10-CPU) achieves a performance lead of over 50 percent.

This is complemented by a larger Level 2 Cache (28 MB vs. 20 MB) and higher memory bandwidth (154 GB/s vs. 102 GB/s), making it superior for compute-intensive workloads. For gaming scenarios, the Apple M5 (10-CPU) offers a better experience thanks to its superior 10-core GPU and higher CPU performance.

Demanding games benefit from the additional graphics power and faster data processing, leading to smoother frame rates and higher settings. Specific details regarding power consumption or TDP are not available. However, both processors utilize the energy-efficient 3 nm manufacturing process. An evaluation of the price-performance ratio is not possible without available pricing information.

The Apple M3 (8-GPU) is ideal for users looking for an energy-efficient processor for everyday tasks, media consumption, and light creative work. Its balanced performance and integrated 8-core GPU provide a solid foundation. The Apple M5 (10-CPU) is recommended for professional users who require maximum computing power, fast data processing, and superior graphics performance.

It is excellently suited for demanding multitasking, complex applications, and gaming.

Apple M3 (8-GPU)

  • Efficient performance for everyday use
  • 3 nm manufacturing process
  • Integrated 8-core GPU
  • Supports PCIe 4.0

Apple M5 (10-CPU)

  • Superior computing and graphics performance
  • 10 CPU cores and 10-core GPU
  • Higher memory bandwidth and larger L2 Cache
  • Ideal for professional and demanding applications

Performance Overview
Average performance across multiple benchmarks

Single-core performance
Rank 2 - 74 %
Apple M3 (8-GPU)
Rank 1 - 100 %
Apple M5 (10-CPU)
Multi-core performance
Rank 2 - 67 %
Apple M3 (8-GPU)
Rank 1 - 100 %
Apple M5 (10-CPU)
Cinebench 2026 Single-Thread

Cinebench 2026 Single-Thread
Single-core performance

Apple M3 (8-GPU)
8C / 8T · 4.06 GHz
557 pts
Apple M5 (10-CPU)
10C / 10T · 4.61 GHz
737 pts
Cinebench 2026 Multi-Core

Cinebench 2026 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance

Apple M3 (8-GPU)
8C / 8T · 4.06 GHz
2,672 pts
Apple M5 (10-CPU)
10C / 10T · 4.61 GHz
4,367 pts
Cinebench 2024 Single-Core

Cinebench 2024 Single-Core
Single-core performance

Apple M3 (8-GPU)
8C / 8T · 4.06 GHz
137 pts
Apple M5 (10-CPU)
10C / 10T · 4.61 GHz
198 pts
Cinebench 2024 Multi-Core

Cinebench 2024 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance

Apple M3 (8-GPU)
8C / 8T · 4.06 GHz
659 pts
Apple M5 (10-CPU)
10C / 10T · 4.61 GHz
1,161 pts
Cinebench R23 Single-Core

Cinebench R23 Single-Core
Single-core performance

Apple M3 (8-GPU)
8C / 8T · 4.06 GHz
1,965 pts
Apple M5 (10-CPU)
10C / 10T · 4.61 GHz
2,411 pts
Cinebench R23 Multi-Core

Cinebench R23 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance

Apple M3 (8-GPU)
8C / 8T · 4.06 GHz
10,437 pts
Apple M5 (10-CPU)
10C / 10T · 3.60 GHz
13,299 pts
Geekbench 6 Single-Core

Geekbench 6 Single-Core
Single-core performance

Apple M3 (8-GPU)
8C / 8T · 4.06 GHz
3,125
Apple M5 (10-CPU)
10C / 10T · 4.61 GHz
4,309
Geekbench 6 Multi-Core

Geekbench 6 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance

Apple M3 (8-GPU)
8C / 8T · 4.06 GHz
11,863
Apple M5 (10-CPU)
10C / 10T · 3.60 GHz
17,874
iGPU - FP32 Performance (Single-precision GFLOPS)

iGPU - FP32 Performance (Single-precision GFLOPS)

Apple M3 (8-GPU)
Apple M3 (8 Core)
2,840
Apple M5 (10-CPU)
Apple M5 (10 Core)
5,133

More benchmarks

At a glance

Wischen
Apple M3 (8-GPU)Apple M5 (10-CPU)
FamilyApple M series (38)Apple M series (38)
CPU groupApple M3 (6)Apple M5 (6)
ArchitectureM3M5
Technology3 nm3 nm
SegmentNotebookNotebook
Socket
PredecessorApple M2 (8-GPU)Apple M4 (10-CPU)
Successor

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

Wischen
Apple M3 (8-GPU)Apple M5 (10-CPU)
CPU Cores / Threads8 / 810 / 10
Hyperthreading / SMT
Core architecturehybrid (big.LITTLE)hybrid (big.LITTLE)
Core Cluster 1: 4x Ibiza P-Core
0.70 - 4.06 GHz
4x P-Core
0.91 - 4.61 GHz
Core Cluster 2: 4x Ibiza E-Core
0.74 - 2.75 GHz
6x E-Core
0.90 - 3.05 GHz
L2-Cache20.00 MB28.00 MB
L3-Cache
Overclocking

Integrated graphics (iGPU)

Wischen
Apple M3 (8-GPU)Apple M5 (10-CPU)
GPU nameApple M3 (8 Core)Apple M5 (10 Core)
GPU frequency0.39 - 1.40 GHz0.34 - 1.90 GHz
CUs / Shader128 / 1024160 / 1280
Raytracing
Max. displays23
Max. GPU Memory24 GB24 GB
Technology3 nm3 nm
Release dateQ4/2023Q4/2025

NPU AI performance

Wischen
Apple M3 (8-GPU)Apple M5 (10-CPU)
AI hardwareApple Neural EngineApple Neural Engine
AI specifications16 Neural cores @ 35 TOPS16 Neural cores @ 60 TOPS
NPU + CPU + iGPU

Memory & PCIe

Wischen
Apple M3 (8-GPU)Apple M5 (10-CPU)
MemoryLPDDR5-6400 (102.4 GB/s)
LPDDR5X-9600 (153.6 GB/s)
Max. Memory24 GB32 GB
Memory channels22
ECCNoNo
PCIe4.04.0
PCIe Bandwidth

Thermal Management

Wischen
Apple M3 (8-GPU)Apple M5 (10-CPU)
TDP22 W28 W
TDP (PL2)
TDP up
TDP down10 W15 W
T. junction max.100 °C100 °C

Technical details

Wischen
Apple M3 (8-GPU)Apple M5 (10-CPU)
Chip designMonolithicMonolithic
AES-NI
Operating systemsmacOS, iPadOSmacOS, iPadOS
Instruction setArmv8-A (64 bit)Armv9.2-A (64 bit)
ISA extensionsRosetta 2 x86-EmulationRosetta 2 x86-Emulation, AVX2, SME
Release dateQ4/2023Q4/2025
Release price
Documents

Your rating

Here you can rate one or both of the processors. The average rating of Apple M3 (8-GPU) is 4.5 stars (133 ratings), while Apple M5 (10-CPU) has received 4.8 stars (313 ratings).

Click on the stars to rate one or both processors.

Apple M3 (8-GPU)
Apple M3 (8-GPU)
8C / 8T · 0.70 - 4.06 GHz
Apple M5 (10-CPU)
Apple M5 (10-CPU)
10C / 10T · 0.91 - 4.61 GHz

Most popular CPUs in both categories

Apple M3 (8-GPU)
Apple M3 (8-GPU)
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